Page 14 of The Soldier's Final Mission

“Guess we have some things to talk about,don’t we, big guy?” Bob said to Riley.

Riley sat back with a puzzled expression. “Likewhat?”

“Well, like the fact that I love yourmommy, and yes, I want to be here with her and with you. But also, the factthat I have a daughter, which means your mommy would be getting a daughter, andyou’d be getting a sister. How do you feel about that?”

That realization sunk in, and Becca wassurprised at herself that she actually felt excited. Bob’s daughter wouldbecome part of her life. And he talked so casually and comfortably about it,that it warmed her heart. When she looked to him, she saw a questioning in hiseyes, and she reassured him with a smile and a nod. His returned smile glowed.

“A sister? Really? Is she little like me?”

“Really, but she’s not little like you. She’sten and she’s taller than you. Her name is Mackenzie.”

“Mackenzie,” Riley sounded out. “She evenhas a bigger name.”

Bob chuckled. “Yes, she does.” He reachedfor his wallet and pulled out a picture, handing it to Riley. “This is herschool picture.”

Riley carefully held the picture, studyingit. “She’s pretty. Her hair is dark.” He looked up at Bob. “Your hair isn’tdark.”

Bob ran a hand across his closely croppedhair which was dark blond. “No. Mackenzie’s mother’s hair was dark, and shelooks a lot like her mother.”

“Where’s her mommy?”

Becca noticed Bob’s eyes dim a bit beforespeaking next. “Her mommy’s in Heaven.”

Riley’s eyes widened. “What happened?” hewhispered.

Becca caught Bob’s questioning look at herand she nodded for him to continue. She realized they certainly did have a lotto discuss, as this would be firsthand news to her as well.

“She was sick and never got better. Mackenzie’sgrandma took care of her for a while.”

“I bet she was sad,” Riley stated. “Whenshe comes here, she’ll have a new mommy and she won’t be sad anymore.” And asif that solved that, Riley handed back the picture to Bob and hopped off thecouch. “It’s Sunday and we’re going to the zoo!” Once again, Riley marched off,presumably to his room to get ready for his adventure.

When Bob looked to Becca, she just smiledand shrugged. “Yeah, I might have promised that last night as well.”

Bob was off the couch and in front ofBecca, threading a hand in her loose hair. “Sounds like a good day to me.” Heleaned forward placing a tender kiss on her lips. “Why don’t you go shower andget ready while I spend some time with Riley?”

Becca softened beneath his touch, placingher hand against his face. “Thank you.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed himagain, lingering for a moment before she decided she’d better get to it. “Beout in a bit.”

Bob nodded as she skirted past him,heading toward her room, all while smiling to herself.

She finally had the man she loved back inher life.

****

The only thing that could’ve made the dayany better was to have had Mackenzie with them, Bob thought. After he, Becca,and Riley had spent hours at the zoo, they were headed toward the parking lot,Riley squirming atop Bob’s shoulders while talking excitedly about all thatthey’d seen.

“Those elephants were so big! And theirnoses were so long!”

“It’s called a trunk, honey.”

“That’s sounds funny. Why not a nose?”

Becca exchanged a grin with Bob, and alook that said,“I told you so.”Shewasn’t kidding when she said Riley had energy to spare and his questions werenonstop. But Bob had enjoyed every moment. He had missed all that withMackenzie and felt like he had some making up to do. Besides, if he was goingto be a permanent part of Becca and Riley’s lives, he better get used to it. No,he immediately thought, there was no getting used to it, there was living itand making it a part of his life.

When he looked to Becca, he just smiled.

“Why not call it a nose, Mommy?” Rileyasked again, waiting for an answer.

“Well, because…”

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